Show ContentsAskwith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Askwith belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in North Yorkshire, where they took their name from the village of Askwith. The place-name is derived from the Old English word askvior, which means dweller near the ash wood.

Early Origins of the Askwith family

The surname Askwith was first found in Yorkshire, where they had been settled from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Early History of the Askwith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Askwith research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1892, 1908 and 1916 are included under the topic Early Askwith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Askwith Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Askwith include Asquith, Askwith and others.

Early Notables of the Askwith family

More information is included under the topic Early Askwith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Askwith family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Askwith were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Charles, Jacob, Robert, Samuel, and William Asquith, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1858 and 1875.


Contemporary Notables of the name Askwith (post 1700) +

  • Robin Askwith (b. 1950), English film actor
  • Thomas Garrett Askwith (1911-2001), English administrator and Olympic rower
  • Sir George Ranken Askwith (1861-1942), 1st Baron Askwith, English nobleman


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